The major discussion points ahead of West Ham United's London derby with Chelsea on Monday evening...
History repeating?
Chelsea have lost just FOUR of the 32 matches they have contested in Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and EFL Cup this season – all of them in London.
Three of those defeats were suffered in the Premier League – at home to Liverpool and away from home at Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – while the fourth came in the EFL Cup fourth round at London Stadium back in October.
West Ham United produced an inspired performance to overcome Antonio Conte’s team 2-1, with goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and Edimilson Fernandes.
While Chelsea have improved since that defeat, so have the Hammers, who have lost just three of their last 12 Premier League matches. So, the question is, can history repeat itself?
Forward thinking
Andy Carroll returned to the training pitch in midweek and is on course to make his comeback after missing two Premier League matches with a groin injury.
The big No9 was in superb form before his latest injury setback, scoring six goals in eleven Premier League appearances over the Christmas and New Year period.
With Michail Antonio absent through suspension after being red carded at Watford a week ago, Carroll’s return comes at the vital time for Slaven Bilic.
The forward’s skillset should occupy Gary Cahill and his central defensive partners, lifting the pressure that Chelsea will undoubtedly put on the Hammers on Monday night.
Fabregas v Lanzini
Having just passed 300 Premier League appearances, Fabregas has 102 Premier League assists to his name – second only to Ryan Giggs – and the Spaniard’s influence on Chelsea’s play appears to be growing.
Fabregas’s passing and movement are both exceptional and central to the Blues’ lightning-quick ball movement, which has given so many opponents nightmares this season.
Lanzini is a different player, but he too has become a vital player for his team, creating space with his close control and elusive play, and chances with his incisive passing.
Whoever comes out on top between Fabregas and Lanzini may decide Monday’s game in their team’s favour.
Resurgent Moses
Slaven Bilic told his pre-match press conference that Dimitri Payet described Victor Moses as West Ham United’s ‘best player’ during the Nigerian’s loan spell in east London last season.
For whatever reason, Moses did not discover his top form in Claret and Blue, but he has certainly done so with his parent club this season.
Athletic, strong and skilful, Moses has established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice right wing-back, earning a new long-term contract in the past week.
The promise that he showed during his formative years at Crystal Palace and, in patches, in a West Ham shirt a year ago, is finally and spectacularly being fulfilled.
Early issues
West Ham United will need to concentrate for the entire 90 minutes when they face a formidable Chelsea team on Monday.
That much would have been true had the Hammers not conceded in the opening 12 minutes in each of their last three Premier League fixtures.
Early goals have put Slaven Bilic’s team on the back foot against Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Watford.
While West Ham have fought back to take five points from those matches, it is a habit the manager will want his team to shake if they are to continue their recent run of good form.